Fresh Cranberry Sauce

Which cranberry sauce camp are you in? Canned cranberry sauce, where the texture and sweetness are pretty dependable? Or fresh cranberry sauce, which captures the natural tartness of the berries? It’s a divisive subject, but I think I can convert the canned lovers with this fresh cranberry sauce recipe. It’s a winner.

A glass bowl filled with thick homemade cranberry sauce, set against a wooden background with green leaves for decoration.

Total time: 20 minutes

Servings: 7-9

Ingredients

  • 2 cups fresh cranberries, washed and picked
  • 1 orange, zested and juiced
  • 2 tablespoons cranberry juice (not cocktail)
  • 1/2 cup honey or sugar

Check out this video to watch me make the recipe!

Step 1

Zest and juice the orange. I used a microplane zester and a citrus squeezer. They’re inexpensive, effective, quick, and must-have in everyone’s gadget drawer.

A person in a pink sweater zesting an orange over a small cutting board, preparing ingredients for cranberry sauce.
A person in a pink sweater using a yellow citrus juicer to squeeze juice from an orange on a cutting board, surrounded by kitchen tools.

Step 2

Combine the honey, orange zest, and juices in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes. I buy my honey by the gallon, so I keep a small honey pot on my counter that I refill frequently.

A person pouring honey from a small cup into a green saucepan, with various kitchen tools and ingredients nearby.
A green saucepan on a stovetop, containing liquid ingredients for cranberry sauce before adding cranberries.

Step 3

Add the cranberries and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries burst and the mixture thickens. Do not cook for more than 15 minutes as the pectin will start to break down, and the sauce will not set as well.

A person stirring fresh cranberries in a green saucepan on the stove, as the ingredients for cranberry sauce cook together.
A person stirring thickened cranberry sauce on the stove, with the sauce taking on a rich, red texture.

Step 4

Remove from heat and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Place in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours or overnight.

Step 5

Add your name to camp fresh cranberry sauce.

A glass bowl containing rich red cranberry sauce, with a spoon dipped inside, placed on a wooden surface with green leaves surrounding it.

Check out these recipes for my Super Moist Turkey and Sweet Potato Casserole!

Are you interested in other Thanksgiving recipes or need ideas? If so, I created a complete guide on hosting a Friendsgiving / Thanksgiving dinner party. Download it below!

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